Hairpin dispenser



Feb. 8, 1944. J. c. MORRELL 2,340,894

HAIRPIN DISPENSER I Filed June l6, 1941 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 77 J4 j z'yQ I'll 'IIII'I'IIII Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES VPATENT A OFFICE HAIRPIN DISPENSER Jacque C. Morn-ell, Oak Park, Ill. Application June 16,1941, Serial No. 398,201

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a hairpin holder and dispenser and refers particularly to a device of the type described which comprises means for positively and conveniently dispensing or discharging one hairpin at a time.

In beauty parlors, one of the most annoying and time-consuming tasks encountered by the operator is that of disentangling hairpins from a bulk supply of hairpins while conducting a permanent waving or other hair dressing operation wherein large numbers of hairpins must be inserted one by one into the customers hair.

Devices have heretofore been proposed for dispensing hairpins, but in all instances, to my knowledge, such devices have been unreliable in operation in that they frequently become jammed and are seldom helpful in facilitating the beauty operator's task.

My invention, therefore, is particularly directed to the provision of a device which is characterized by a simple, reliable and conveniently operated dispensing mechanism, whereby hairpins can be quickly dispensed from a magazine, singly, as the operator needs them.

The objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a sectional, elevational view of a magazine-type hairpin dispenser embodying the concepts of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 5-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line B-$ of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed profile sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the cooperative relationship between the dispensing element and uppermost hairpin in the magazine.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a slightly modified form of dispensing element employing a resilient retracting means.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevational view of another modification of my invention.

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line I2-I2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 10 with the end wall closure swung to open position.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional line I4I4 of Fig. 10.

Referring in detail to the drawings, with particular reference to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the reference numeral I indicates generally a preferred embodiment of my magazine-type hairpin dispenser. The dispenser I is essentially constructed in two portions comprising an outer casing 2 having end walls 3 and 4, side walls 5 and 8 and top I; and an inner skeleton section 8 comprising end members 9 and I0 and a bottom I I. Theconstruction is such that the outer casing 2 telescopically engages the inner skeleton structure 8,- embracing the inner structure so as to form a compartment or magazine I2.

A post I3 is rigidly connected to the bottom rail II and extends upwardly therefrom parallel to the end rails 9 and III. A second post I4 is also rigidly connected at one end to the bottom rail II and extends upwardly therefrom parallel to the post I3. The end rail III at its inner side, is provided with a slot or groove I5 which extends longitudinally of said rail, the post I4 being positioned within said slot, the axis of said post being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot.

A platform or carrier plate I6 is slidably positioned upon the spaced posts I3 and I4, said carrier plate being provided with apertures in which the respective posts are positioned. The arrangement is such that the plate I6 may be moved upwardly or downwardly along the length of the posts 53 and 14, the plane of the plate I6 being maintained substantially parallel to the bottom rail M and at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the posts.

view taken on A coil spring I I circumscribes post I3 and is confined between the lower rail II and the plate I6 said spring being adapted to urge the plate It upwardly along the posts I3 and I4.

The bottom rail II is provided with an aperture it through which the offset head I9 of a latch bar 29 is adapted to project. The opposite end of the latch bar .is pivotallyconnected as at 2|, to the plate I6, and a blade spring 22 carried by said plate, bears against an intermediate portion of the bar 20 and normally tends to urge said bar in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1) about the pivot 2| The arrangement is such that when the plate I6 is moved downwardly along posts I3 and I4, the offset head I9 of the bar 20 will project through the aperture l8 and said bar being urged by spring 22 will so move the head l9 as to cause said head to engage the lower surface of the rail ll thereby locking plate l6 and preventing movement thereof in an upwardly direction in response to spring 11.

The compartment I2. when the outer casing 2 is positioned over the skeleton structure II, is adapted to contain a plurality of hairpins 23. The hairpins 23 are supported upon the carrier plate [6 and are positioned thereon in superimposed relationship as shown best in Fig. 1. The U-bend portion of each hairpin 23 embraces the post I4 and is positioned in the groove provided in the end'rail l0. An intermediate portion of each hairpin straddles the post l3 as indicated at 24 in Fig. 4. The hairpins 23. are thus maintained in a stack upon the carrier plate l6, relative. movement of the hairpins being prevented by their association with the post l4 within the groove l5 and also by their association with the post l3 which they grip in a resilient manner. As will be hereinafter more fully described, the hairpins 23 are discharged one at a time from the top of the stack, the stack being moved upwardly by means of the spring-pressed carrier plate It. When all of the hairpins have thus been discharged, the plate I6 contacts a stop 25 positioned adjacent the top of post 13, preventing disengagement of the plate i6 from the posts l3 and I4.

The top 1 of casing 2 is provided with a rectangular sectioned groove or guideway 26, one end of which opens exteriorly of the casing. A slidable bar 21 having a cross section which conforms with the section of the groove 28, is slidably positioned within said groove. A slot 28 is provided in the upper face of the top 1, said slot opening along its length into the groove 28. A pin 29 is adapted to project through slot 28 and is rigidly connected to the upper portion of the slidable bar 21. Exteriorly of the casing, pin 29 terminates in a knob 35, which also carries a disk 3! which is adapted to bear upon the upper surf-ace of the top 1. By the provision of the knob 30, the bar 21 may be conveniently moved longitudinally within the groove 26, the disk 3| confining the movement of said bar in a direection parallel to the surface of the top 1.

The lower face of the bar 21 carries a downwardly projecting rib 32, which is longitudinally co-extensive with the bar 21. The upper end of the post I3 is provided with a transverse slot 33 and the upper end of post I4 is also provided with a transverse slot 34, the cross sectional dimensions of said slots being such as to snugly receive the rib 32 and serve as supporting guides for the movement of the bar 21.

As a feature of my invention the depth of the rib 32 is substantially equal to the diameter of the wire comprising the hairpins 23. Consequently when the stack of hairpins carried by plate I6 is moved upwardly, the uppermost hairpin moves into a plane which includes the rib 32. When the bar 21 is in retracted position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the U-bend of the uppermost hairpin lies in the path of travel of the rib 32. When the knob 30 is moved toward the right (Fig. 1) the end of the rib 32 engages the inner surface of the U-bend and, hence, the uppermost hairpin is slidably moved along with the bar 21. The end of the top member 1 is also provided with a relatively flat aperture 35, of a depth substantially equal to that of the depth of the rib 32. The arrangement is such that when the bar 21 is moved to the right (Fig. 1), the bar 21 projects outwardly from the casing 2 carrying a hairpin 23 therewith as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the bar 21 is retracted, the hairpin 23 which has been previously projected outwardly, may be readily grasped by the operator and removed from the casing. Retraction of the bar 21 permits upward movement of the carrier plate i6 thereby placing the uppermost hairpin 23 in position to be engaged by the rib 32.

In charging th hairpins to the magazine, the outer casing 2 may be removed from the skeleton structure 8 and the latch bar 20 may be positioned in latching relationship with respect to the bottom rail H. When the hairpins have been mounted upon the plate It as hereinbefore described, the casing 2 may be telescopically positioned over the skeleton structure 8. The end wall 4 of the casing 2 carries a resilient clasp 36 which is hook-shaped adjacent its end, as indicated at 31 in Flg. 1. When the casing 2 has been positioned over the skeleton structure 8. the hooked portion 31 engages the bottom rail H and firmly secures the two sections of the dispenser together. A slot 38 is provided in the side wall 6 of the outer casing, said slot being disposed parallel to the posts l3. A pin 39 having a knurled head 40, is adapted to pass through said slot and is threadedly engaged in the edge surface of the carrier l6 whereby the carrier may be moved upwardly or downwardly by the proper manipulation of the pin 39 in the slot 38 in the event that the hairpins in the stack carried by the carrier plate l6 become jammed.

Referring particularly to Fig. 9 which shows in section an upper corner of a dispensing device similar to that hereinbefore described, a coil spring 43 may be secured to the upper portion of the rail 4|, which corresponds to the rail 9. The opposite end of the spring at is anchored to the end of a bar 42 which corresponds to th bar 21. When the bar 42 is moved longitudinally to discharge a hairpin, as has been hereinbefore described, the spring 40 is tensioned and acts to automatically retract the bar 42 to a position within the casing in readiness to discharge the next hairpin.

Referring particularly to Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, a modification of my invention is shown. In this form of my invention, the dispenser casing 43 is of substantially unitary construction and comprises end.walls 44 and 45, bottom 46. top 41 and side walls 48 and 49. The end wall 44 is reinforced by a frame member 50 and the end wall 45 is carried upon a frame member 5|. A post 52 is rigidly carried upon the bottom 46 and extends upwardly therefrom at substantially right angles to the plane of the bottom. A post 53 is also rigidly positioned upon the bottom 46 and extends upwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the post 52.

A platform 54 comprising a lower portion 55 and an upper portion 56 connected by a web 51 to the lower portion, is positioned within the casing 43. The lower portion 55 of the platform 54 is provided with an aperture in which the post 52 is disposed. The upper portion 56 of the platform 54 is provided with two apertures in which posts "52 and 53 are positioned. the arrangement being such that the platform 54 can be moved upwardly or downwardly along the posts 52 and 53 which function as guides. A coil spring 58 is secured at one end, as at 59, to the lower face of the top 41, said spring passing downwardly through an aperture provided in the lower portion 55 of the platform 54 and upwardly through a second aperture provided in said platform and the opposite end of the spring is secured to the lower face of the top 4! as indicated at 6|). The arrangement is such that spring 58 normally urges platform 54 upwardly along posts 52 and 53.

The bottom 46 is provided with an aperture through which an offset head 62 of a latch bar 63 may project. The upper end of the latch bar is pivotally secured to the lower portion 55 of platform 54 as indicated at 64 in Fig. 10 whereby platform 54 may be secured in a fixed position and is restrained from being moved by spring58.

The frame member 5| which carries an end wall 45 of the casing is provided, at its inner face, with a longitudinal groove 65 in which the post 53 is positioned, said post being spaced from the defining surface of the groove 65. The member 5| is pivotally connected adjacent its lower end as at 66 to the bottom 46 whereby the member 5| carrying the end wall 45, may be swung outwardly from the casing 43 thereby exposing the interior of the casing. In this manner hairpins 61 may be charged to said casing, said hairpins being positioned upon the upper portion 56 of the platform 54 in superimposed relationship to form a stack of hairpins thereupon. The hairpins 61 are associated with the posts 52 and 53 in the manner hereinbefore described in conjunction with the relationship of the hairpins 23 with the posts 33 and 34. The end wall 45 is provided with side flanges 68 which embrace the surface of the sides 48 and 49 adjacent their end edges.

The top 41 is provided with a rectangular groove 69. A bar 10 of cross section similar to the cross section of the groove 69, is adapted to be slidably positioned within the groove for longitudinal movement therein. The top 47 is also provided with a slot H which opens into the groove 69. A pin 12 passes through the 'slot H and connects with the upper portion of the bar 10, said pin carrying, exteriorly of the casing, a knob 13 having a disc 14 also carried. by the pin. The arrangement is such that the bar 16, by means of the defining surfaces of the groove 69, and the relationship of the disc id to the top 47 can be moved longitudinally only in a direction parallel to the surface of the top 51.

The groove 6 opens at one end to the exterior of the casing, and a relatively flat opening 75 is also provided in the top 4'! adjacent the opening to groove 69. Bar 10 carries a rectangular rib 16 at its lower surface, said rib being co-extensive longitudinally with the bar Ill. As has been hereinbefore described in conjunction with the description of the form of my invention, shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the depth of the rib 16 is substantially equal to the diameter of the wire comprising hairpins 61. Similarly to the form of my invention previously described, the tops of posts 52 and 53 are slotted to guide ba'r 1|! during its movement within the groove 69. In this manner the rib 16 during movement of the bar 10, engages the inner face of the U-bend portion of the uppermost hairpin 67 and discharges said hairpin through the opening 15. When the .bar 10 is retracted, the platform 54 moves upwardly under the impulse of spring 58, causing the U-bend of the uppermost hairpin in the stack to be positioned in the path of travel of the rib 16 whereby it may be discharged upon the maximum outward movement of the bar 10.

The side wall 49 of the casing 43 is provided with a slot through which a pin 18 carrying a head 19 projects and threadedly connects with the platform 54. The arrangement is such that platform 54 may be moved upwardly or downwardly by manipulating the pin I0 to relieve the compressive force caused by spring 58 upon platform 54, or to permit engagement of the head 62 of the latch bar 63 with the bottom 45. I

Of course, it is to be understood, that a retracting spring, such as the spring 40, may be employed with the modification of my invention described in conjunction with Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive. In addition, a compression spring or springs, similar to spring may be employed instead of the tension spring 58 for urging the platform 54 upwardly. Likewise, in the formof my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, a tension spring such as the spring 58 may be employed instead of the compression spring ll in urging platform It upwardly.

I claim as my invention:

1. A hairpin dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a stack of hairpins, spaced posts in the case straddled by each of said pins and extending lengthwise of the stack, whereby they serve as a means of guiding and aligning the pins in superimposed relation at spaced points along their length, means urging said stack toward an end wall of the case,.

and means for ejecting the endmost pin of the stack adjacent said wall from the case through an opening provided therein.

2. A hairpin dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a stack of hairpins, spaced posts in the case straddled by each of said pins and extending lengthwise of the stack, whereby they serve as a means of guiding and aligning the pins in superimposed relation at spaced points along theirlength,

means urging said stack toward an end wall of the case, an ejector mounted within said case adjacent said wall for movement inwardly and outwardly of the case substantially parallel to said wall and transverse to said stack, means on said ejector for engaging the endmost pin of the stack adjacent said wall to move said pin outwardly from the case through an adjacent opening provided in the case when th ejector is moved outwardly.

3. A hairpin dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a stack of hairpins, spaced posts in the case straddled by each of said pins and extending lengthwise of the stack, whereby they serve as a means of guiding and aligning the pins in superimposed relation at spaced points along their length, a carriage for said stack slidably mounted on and guided by said posts adjacent its opposite ends, means urging said carriage and stack lengthwise of the posts toward an end wall of the case, and means for ejecting the endmost pin of the stack adjacent said wall from the case through on opening provided therein.

4. A hairpin dispenser comprising. in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a stack of hairpins, spaced posts in the case straddled by each of said pins and extending lengthwise of the stack, whereby they serve as a means of guiding and aligning the pins in superimposed relation at spaced points along their length, a car-' riage for said stack slidably mounted on and guided by said posts adjacent its opposite ends,

mcans urging said carriage and stack lengthwise of the posts toward an end wallot the case, an

ejector mounted within said case adjacent said wall for movement inwardly and outwardly of the case substantially parallel to said wall and transverse to said stack. means on said ejector for engaging the endmost pin or the stack adjacent said wall to move said pin outwardly from the case through an adjacent opening provided in the case when the ejector is moved outwardly.

5. A hairpin dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a'stack of hairpins, spaced posts in the case extending lengthwise of the stack between opposite ends of the case, means urging said stack lengthwise of the posts toward an end wall of the case, an ejector having means riding in slots provided in the ends or said posts adjacent the last named wall for movement inwardly and outwardly of the case transverse to the posts and lengthwise of said pins, said ejector engaging the endmost pin oi the stack adjacent the last named wall to move it outwardly from the case through an opening provided therein when the ejector is moved outwardly.

6. A hairpin dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a stack of hairpins, spaced posts in the case extending lengthwise of the stack between opposite ends of the case, a carriage for said stack slidably mounted on and guided by said posts adjacent its opposite ends, means urging said carriage and stack lengthwise of the posts toward an end wall of the case, an ejector having means riding in slots provided in the ends of said posts adjacent the last named wall for movement inwardly and outwardly of the case transverse to the posts and lengthwise of said pins, said ejector engaging the endmost pin of the stack adjacent the last named wall to move it outwardly from the case through an opening provided therein when the ejector is moved outwardly.

7. A hairpin dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a stack 0! hairpins, spaced posts in the case extending lengthwise of the stack between opposite ends of the case and straddled by each of said pins. whereby they serve as a. means of guiding and aligning the pins in superimposed relation at spaced points along the length or the latter and throughout the length of the stack, means urging the stack lengthwise of the posts toward an end wall of the case, an ejector mounted adjacent the last named wall and having means riding in slots provided in the adjacent ends of the posts for movement inwardly and outwardly of the case transverse to the posts and lengthwise of said pins, said ejector engaging the bent end of the endmost pin of the stack adjacent the last named wall to move it outwardly from the case through an adjacent opening provided therein when the ejector is moved outward.

8. A hairpin dispenser comprising, in combination, a closed case adapted to receive a stack of hairpins, spaced posts in the case extending lengthwise of the stack between opposite ends of the case and straddled by each 01' said pins, whereby they serve as a means of guiding and aligning the pins in superimposed relation at spaced points along the length of th latter and throughout the length of the stack, a carriage for said stack slidably mounted on and guided by said posts adjacent its opposite ends, means urging said carrier and stack lengthwise of the posts toward an end wall of the case, an ejector mounted adjacent the last named wall and having means riding in slots provided in the adjacent ends of the posts for movement inwardl and outwardly of the case transverse to the posts and lengthwise of said pins, said ejector engaging the bent end of the endmost pin of the stack adjacent the last named wall to move it outwardly from the case through an adjacent opening provided therein when the ejector is moved outward- JACQUE C. MORRELL. 

